Leverage China ties to build River Benue dam, ex-envoy tells FG

A former Director of Trade, Investment and Policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rasheed Akinkuolie, has urged the Federal Government to harness its relationship with China to build the River Benue dam.

Akinkuolie, a former Consul to Cameroon, and delegate to World Expo and Economic Development Centre in Paris, said China had rendered similar service to the country in the past.

The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, visited Africa on a four-country trip to Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, Chad and Nigeria.

Speaking to Saturday PUNCH, Akinkuolie noted that the most pressing problem of Nigeria, which the Chinese could resolve was for China to build the withholding dam on River Benue.

According to him, building the dam would stop the annual floods in Nigeria whenever water is released from the Lagdo dam built by the Chinese in 1982.

The former ambassador said, “The offer to build the withholding dam, thrice the capacity of the Lagdo dam, was made to Nigeria by China. But, the offer was not accepted due to the incessant change of governments in Nigeria.

“The damages done to communities every year by floods are colossal.”

Akinkuolie also urged the Federal Government to seek support for the power sector, saying it was obvious that Nigeria couldn’t get the challenges of electricity supply fixed by itself.

“The electricity generating companies and the distribution companies cannot do it, and such a critical sector cannot be left in the hands of amateurs. The Chinese and other countries should be approached for help. This includes the French government and other friends of Nigeria,” he said.

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